Open Call for Strengthening Rule of Law in Criminal Defense in Burkina Faso

Deadline: 1-Sep-21

The U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to strengthen and promote the rule of law and facilitate a stable criminal justice system in Burkina Faso by bolstering the capacity of existing bar and legal aid associations to provide advocacy, training, and on-going professional development for defense attorneys.

Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms requires effective access to legal services by an independent and fully functioning legal profession that provides due process without fear of harassment or intimidation.

Program Objectives

Improve Access to Legal Counsel
- Facilitate engagement of independent legal advocates or nongovernmental organizations offering legal aid support;
- Promote data collection regarding pretrial representation and case outcomes;
- Establish mechanisms to support the enforcement of the provision of legal counsel for indigent defendants based on international and regional best practices;
- Provide ongoing training to legal assistance providers in providing quality defense counsel;
- Increase access to prisoner/detainee information for families, independent legal advocates, and non-governmental organizations; and
- Provide funding to support the provision of legal counsel for indigent defendants.
Build the capacity of the Burkinabe bar associations to provide continuing professional development and learning education opportunities.
Build the capacity of the Burkinabe bar associations to advocate for defense attorneys subject to harassment; support the independence of the judiciary and the right of defense lawyers to practice their profession without interference.

Funding Information

Length of performance period: 12 months
Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts)
Total available funding: $100,000

Participants and Audiences: Applicants should identify target stakeholders, target participants, specific demographics, and the region(s) in which the project will be implemented. It is particularly important to specify the approximate number of beneficiaries to be directly and indirectly impacted by project activities.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as U.S. not-for-profit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Country X and meet the Department of State’s reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Burkina Faso, if required by the country of project implementation.
- Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar capacity building programs, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Embassy reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
- Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in French and English. Interpretation services for training must be considered. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
- Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
- Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
- Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period of time.
Note: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.
To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non-discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. The Department of State is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. The Embassy welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.
Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub-awards issued under this grant award.
The Embassy encourages applications from potential new partners.